London bus workers in huge vote for action

Drivers across London’s 17 bus operators have voted by 96 percent for action in a consultative ballot over their Unite union’s demand for collective bargaining.

Currently pay and conditions are negotiated separately, which has led to a disparity in bus drivers’ pay across the different companies of over £2 an hour for new starters. Rates for new drivers vary from £9.30 to £11.46 an hour.

Unite said it could move to a full ballot, coordinated across all 17 operators, if employers continue to refuse to negotiate collectively.

Coordinated action across London works. Strikes won a £500 Olympic bonus in 2012 even though many drivers believed more could’ve been won.

Unite should turn the vote into action as soon as possible and show the bosses that bus drivers are serious in their fight for one rate for the job across the capital.